St. Joseph's College and Suffolk County Executive to Host Annual Stand Up for the Homeless Event

Patchogue, NY (PRWEB) August 23, 2014

The Long Island Campus of St. Joseph’s College (SJC) is pleased to announce that it will provide a venue for the seventh annual Stand Up for the Homeless event, sponsored by the Office of the Suffolk County Executive, on Friday, August 29 in the John A. Danzi Athletic Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the sixth year that the event will be held at the College.

“Dedicated to fostering committed participation in its local and global communities, St. Joseph’s College is pleased to once again host this valuable community initiative in conjunction with the County Executive’s Office,” said Jack P. Calareso, Ph.D., president of SJC.

The annual Stand Up for the Homeless event allows individuals in attendance to gain access to free services and products offered by federal, state, county and private agencies—including health, employment, financial, housing, educational and benefit services—all in one location. Services provided will include health and dental screenings, housing and shelter placement, employment opportunities, haircuts, a clothing drive and public assistance counseling. The blood pressure and health screenings that were provided at previous events resulted in a handful of attendees receiving vital, immediate care that they may not have otherwise received.

“The mission of the Department of Social Services is to provide financial assistance and support services to eligible Suffolk County residents in a cost effective and efficient manner, simultaneously protecting the vulnerable while encouraging their independence and self-sufficiency,” said Suffolk County Department of Social Services Commissioner John F. O’Neill. “While we are able to assist many of our homeless clients through our Client Benefit programs, the Stand Up for the Homeless event is intended to educate and serve the ineligible or recalcitrant visible homeless with informational referrals, community based resources, and items utilized while homeless. The Department of Social Services is proud to be beside County Executive Bellone, St. Joseph’s College and our community based partners in presenting this event.”

As has been done in the past, Long Island Cares and Island Harvest will provide attendees with bags of food, while an additional food drive will be coordinated by The Patchogue Lions Club. St. Vincent de Paul will coordinate a clothing drive. Free transportation to and from the event will be supplied throughout the day from multiple locations around the county.

Last year, more than 70 vendors offered free services to more than 400 individuals and families, but many more are expected this year. For more information or to volunteer, contact Michael Gudema at 631.854.9930 or email Michael.gudema(at)suffolkcountyny(dot)gov.

The John A. Danzi Athletic Center is located at 155 W. Roe Blvd. in Patchogue, and is accessible via the South Service Road of Sunrise Highway, just east of Exit 52 (Waverly Ave.).

About St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility, and service. With campuses located in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn and in Patchogue, Long Island, the College offers degrees in more than 29 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.

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